Ice Is Leaking Through the Top of My Slider Patio Door

Flashing

• Flashing refers to construction materials designed to protect certain parts of your house, especially from leaks due to rain or melting ice. Your patio door should have a flashing pan underneath it to catch and channel water away, as well as flashing installed above the door to keep water from leaking downward, as it does when ice above is melting through. If the top of your patio door is leaking from the frame itself, this indicates a problem with (or lack of) flashing.

Weatherstripping

• Weatherstripping is similar to flashing, but it refers to the seals around the sliding doors themselves. These seals help the door run smoothly and prevent any water from leaking from the top or bottom of the door. If the weatherstripping has worn off or come loose at the top of your door, the door may start to close more roughly than usual, and you can experience leaks. This occurs easily with ice because the lack of weatherstripping allows the ice to build up inside the door frame.

Roof Ice

• If you are having leaking problems through your patio door but cannot immediately address the problem in the middle of winter, consider going to the source. Roof ice is a common cause of patio door leaks. If you can remove the snow and ice from that portion of your roof, you may be able to solve the problem temporarily while waiting to make the permanent fix. Installing gutters if you don't already have them may also provide a solution.

Sealing Doors

• If you cannot easily find a source for the ice runoff that is leaking through your patio door, stop using the door and seal it. Use tape and plastic to create a new seal around the top of the door where moisture is coming through. This is not a long-term solution, but it will save your walls and floors from serious damage due to constant leaking. In the meantime, you can work on repairing or replacing the door.